Help Available for the Unemployed
If you are unemployed or underemployed, this is for you. If you could face a layoff, we want to help. A Job Workshop will be conducted at the church on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m., starting on January 2. We are fortunate to have three highly-qualified job counselors in our congregation who will give their time to others in the church who need work or additional job training. About once a month, there will be a presentation on what help is available in Spokane. On other weeks, the staff will be working individually with anyone who needs help in preparing resumes, and preparing for interviews. Information will be readily available for all kinds of jobs and job training. Call Steve Wilson (926-1545) for more information.

We're Recruiting Block Captains in the Valley
It's Time to "Adopt-a-Block" In cooperation with other congregations, our goal is to recruit 1,700 Block Captains in the Valley. Sheriff Mark Sterk's department has divided the Valley into blocks of 20 homes each. We think this is the finest way that we can get to know our neighbors that will also improve safety and security in all our neighborhoods. Each volunteer needs to attend a one-hour training session on one of the following dates: Monday, Jan. 7, Thursday, Jan. 10, Tuesday, Jan 15, and Thursday, Jan. 17. All classes start at 7:00 p.m. They are all at our church. If you are undecided, please attend one of the classes anyway and learn what can be done.

Pastor Ian Invited to Speak in Scotland
Rev. Colin Wood, Nazarene Superintendent of the British Isles North District has invited our pastor to speak at a District Pastors Prayer Conference in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland in February. At Tuesday's meeting, the Church Board granted him the time to make this trip. Pastor Ian will be leading two Lay Training Workshops, one in Scotland, the other in Northwern Ireland. He will be consulting with five pastors and congregations, helping each one develop a "Ministry Plan," exploring ways to help each church reach its optimum in ministry and growth. Two of the five are facing building programs. Please pray for our pastor as he prepares for this special mission. Pray also for the five congregations: Glasgow Parkhead, Uddingston, Viewpark, and Ardrossan, all in Scotland, plus Bangor, N. Ireland.

Some Highlights for 2002

January 19-20 - The Jazz Band from Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) will be at Valley Church for a Saturday evening concert, then will be providing music here all day Saturday. The NNU Pep Band will also be here, providing rousing music for some of the Upward Basketball games. Can you imagine 2nd and 3rd Graders coming onto the court through the smoke machine, being introduced by name over the PA system, all to the accompaniment of a COLLEGE Pep Band.

March 14-16 - Christian Workers Conference downtown. It's the largest CWC in the nation, expecting about 7,000 church leaders to participate. Our church will be hosting a special Dare-to-CARE Conference on the Friday evening and Saturday.

April ?? - The Spokane Symphony is tentatively planning a Friday or Saturday evening "Neighborhood Concert" at our church. The date is dependent on the availability of 50+ musicians - not an easy task. The concert will be half classical and half popular. It will include something especially for children and a sing-along section. This will provide another good opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to our church facilities.

August 23-25 - Inland Northwest Festival with Franklin Graham in Joe Albi Stadium. Some of the training classes will be at Valley Church.